Stereotypes are not only disabling: they are also dangerous. The proof with this news eloquent study by Washington State University who interviewed 402 pregnant Americans in physically demanding jobs (such as manufacturing, health services or sales) over a two-month period. The conclusions of this survey are clear: around 63% of them felt the fear of stereotypes. Fearing that they would be considered “weak”, “incompetent” or “demobilized”, these future mothers worked even more, pushing their limits to the risk of injury and accidents in the workplace. By standing too long or carrying heavy objects, for example, the study said.
“Silent stress”
Overwhelmed by ruthless social pressure, pregnant women would go so far as to put themselves in danger so as not to have to undergo the negative judgment of their colleagues and superiors. For Dr. Lindsey Lavaysse, one of the authors of the study, these results demonstrate the need to recognize the existence of these stereotypes (in order to combat them).
“Pregnancy stereotypes are a silent stressor. It is not always visible, but it does impact women in the workplace,” said the researcher. “Most companies have accommodation policies for pregnancy, but if the culture of that business suggests that there will be retaliation or that employees will be looked at differently, women will avoid using these accommodations, which are better for their health and safety. “
The proof: the women interviewed who particularly felt this stigmatization recorded three times more accidents at work at the end of the two months of observation than the women less subjected to this stress.
In France, an Odoxa survey for the PremUp Foundation in 2015 had revealed that pregnancy at work would be badly experienced by almost 70% of women. Still in the grip of the fear of being “placarded”, of not being increased or badly considered, stress would lead some women to conceal their pregnancy as long as possible: 17% of women declare that they waited 4 to 6 months to announce their pregnancy to their boss (21% among 25-34 year olds).
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